This Thursday afternoon, the Western Sydney Wanderers travel north to play Central Coast Mariners at Valentine Sports Park in their rescheduled NPL 2 Round 22 fixture.
The two sides are separated by only one point on the NPL 2 ladder and both teams have the opportunity to move up to third with a victory.
Spirits will be high for Central Coast after their last gasp victory over Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Saturday.
The Mariners have the second-most prolific attack in the NPL 2 and have only been kept scoreless once this season.
Duncan Stewart is the Mariners top scorer with 17 goals which includes one against the Red & Black back in Round 9.
Meanwhile, the Red & Black are back to good form after Kyle Cimenti’s late equaliser against Bankstown Berries made it seven points in the last three games for the Wanderers.
Matthew Lecce is one to watch after a strong performance on Saturday against Bankstown Berries, one in which he repeatedly showed his ability to beat defenders.
Lecce has shown his versatility over the course of this season and is comfortable in the number 10 role or on the wings.
Defender Mathieu Cordier has also been making his mark. While he has played at left back for the majority of the season, in recent games he has performed solidly as centre back.
Cordier’s performances have not unnoticed and he earned his selection for the recent Young Socceroos training camp in Perth.
When the Mariners and Wanderers met last back in Round 9, the Red & Black won 3-1. Charles Abou Serhal, Cimenti and Lecce were the goalscorers for the Wanderers that night.
NPL 2 Round 22
Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Thursday 17 August, 1:30pm
Valentine Sports Park
